One hundred years of engineering and the growl of the 5.3L V8 ECOTEC3 engine provoked a big grin on my face as I started up Chevrolet’s Centennial Edition Silverado Z71. The bold front end mated to the truck’s stance with special commemorative badging was just a hint of the awesomeness I would enjoy as my family and I departed for Seminole Canyon State Park, located near the Mexico/U.S. border in Texas.

Chevy is no stranger to quality-built trucks and the 2018 Silverado 1500 LTZ with the Z71 package is no exception. Three powertrain options are offered, including a 4.3L V6 with variable valve timing, putting out 285 hp and 305 lb.-ft. of torque, averaging 17/22 mpg in the four-wheel drive version; a 5.3L V8 with variable valve timing, putting out 355 hp and 383 lb.-ft. of torque, averaging 16/20 mpg in the four-wheel drive version; and a stout 6.2L V8 with variable valve timing, putting out 420 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque, averaging 15/20 mpg. Our crew cab test vehicle’s 5.3L V8 provided plenty of power when needed, though fuel efficiency really suffered with the Patriot Campers X2 camper in tow, delivering a paltry 11.5 mpg at highway speeds despite the truck having an eight-speed automatic transmission and trailer tow rating of 11,700 lb. This is relevant as the trailer, fully loaded as it was for our journey to Seminole Canyon, weighed about 1,800 lb. I’m curious how the larger, stouter 6.2L V8 performs with a comparably sized trailer in tow.